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Phys Ther Sport 2022 May 31;56:38-47. Epub 2022 May 31.

Masira Research Institute, University of Santander (UDES), Bucaramanga, Colombia; Sports Science Center (CCD), Colombian Ministry of Sport (Mindeporte), Colombia. Electronic address: https://twitter.com/danielcohen1971.

Background: Hamstring strain injuries are the most common type of injury in elite football and are associated with a high risk of reinjury, particularly those involving the intramuscular tendon (IMT). Limited information is available regarding the rehabilitation and return to sport (RTS) processes following such injuries. This case study describes the clinical presentation of an elite football player following IMT hamstring injury, their on- and off-pitch rehabilitation alongside performance monitoring throughout RTS and beyond. Read More

Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 2022 Jun 23. Epub 2022 Jun 23.

Department of Orthopaedics, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark.

Purpose: Button implants with an adjustable-loop device (ALD) are often used in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Clinical research comparing ALDs with fixed-loop devices (FLD) has mainly been conducted in small patient populations with short follow-up times. To determine whether ALDs are safe to use in ACLR, a non-inferiority study with a large sample population and a long follow-up period would be beneficial. Read More

BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2022 Jun 21;23(1):598. Epub 2022 Jun 21.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Isala, Postbus 10400, 8000 GK, Zwolle, Netherlands.

Background: Results of ACL reconstruction are influenced by both patient and surgical variables. Until now a significant amount of studies have focused on the influence of surgical technique on primary outcome, often leaving patient variables untouched. This study investigates the combined influence of patient and surgical variables through multivariate analysis. Read More

Knee 2022 Jun 18;37:87-94. Epub 2022 Jun 18.

Sports Surgery Clinic, Santry, Dublin, Ireland.

Background: There is an increased risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture and subsequent ACL reconstruction in patients <18 years old due to their high levels of sporting participation.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the rate and timing of return to play (RTP) in paediatric and adolescent patients following ACL reconstruction, and to compare the outcomes between those undergoing ACL reconstruction with bone patella tendon bone autograft (BTB) and hamstring tendon (HT) autograft.

Study Design: Level of Evidence: Level III; Retrospective Comparative Cohort Study. Read More

J Sports Sci Med 2022 Jun 1;21(2):253-259. Epub 2022 Jun 1.

Department of Physical Therapy, Angelo State University, San Angelo, TX, USA.

A contributing risk factor and a byproduct of a hamstrings strain is limited hamstrings range of motion (ROM). Some evidence supports static stretching (SS) and lumbar spinal mobilization therapy (LSMT) as an effective means for increasing hamstrings ROM. However, the efficacy of combining LSMT and SS for increasing hamstrings ROM is unknown. Read More

Cureus 2022 May 13;14(5):e24965. Epub 2022 May 13.

Orthopedic Surgery, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, USA.

We present the case of a collegiate football player with an extensive bilateral ligamentous knee injury history to elucidate the mechanisms and possible explanations behind why some athletes sustain recurrent injuries. We hope to initiate thought on altering rehabilitation schedules for athletes who are at an increased risk of re-injury. A 21-year-old collegiate American football player presented with a re-tear of his left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial meniscus following reconstructive surgery. Read More

Int J Sports Phys Ther 2022 1;17(4):613-621. Epub 2022 Jun 1.

Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre.

Background: The single leg bridge test (SLBT) has been introduced in the sports context as a way of estimating hamstring muscle capacity for prevention and rehabilitation of hamstring strain injuries.

Purpose: The primary aim was to examine the association between SLBT scores with concentric and eccentric knee flexor peak torques. Secondarily, this study aimed examine the association of between-limb asymmetries provided by SLBT and isokinetic tests. Read More

Int J Sports Phys Ther 2022 1;17(4):585-592. Epub 2022 Jun 1.

Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, Tufts University School of Medicine.

Background/purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted adolescents across multiple areas of health. While many factors influence outcomes following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on early patient outcomes after ACLR is currently unknown in an adolescent population. The purpose of this study was to determine if short-term clinical outcomes were different in adolescents after ACLR for those who underwent surgery pre-COVID versus during the COVID-19 pandemic timeframe. Read More

J Sci Med Sport 2022 May 18. Epub 2022 May 18.

Department of Mechanical Engineering, TUM School of Engineering and Design, Technical University of Munich, Germany.

Objectives: Many studies have investigated the relationship between muscle activation and tensile force of the anterior cruciate ligament. These studies lacked a holistic representation of the muscle status. For instance, they were limited with respect to the peak muscle forces, number of muscles, and possible muscle activation patterns. Read More

Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022 Jun 1;19(11). Epub 2022 Jun 1.

Department of Physical Therapy, Health Science Faculty, University of Granada, Avda de la Ilustración 60, 18016 Granada, Spain.

Background: This systematic review and meta-analysis compared the isokinetic strength of the muscular knee joint between quadriceps tendon autografts (QTAs) and hamstring tendon autografts (HTAs) or patellar tendon autografts (PTAs) after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction by determining the isokinetic angular velocity and follow-up time points. The functional outcomes and knee stability at the same time points were also compared using isokinetic technology.

Methods: Two independent reviewers searched the Medline (via PubMed search engine), Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases to include full text comparative studies that assessed isokinetic strength test following ACL reconstruction. Read More

Orthop J Sports Med 2022 Jun 3;10(6):23259671221101003. Epub 2022 Jun 3.

School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.

Background: Younger patients who sustain anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures are at high risk for reinjury after ACL reconstruction. Restoring muscle strength before return to sports (RTS) is regarded as an important factor in reducing the reinjury risk, and quadriceps and hamstring strength assessment is commonly included in RTS testing. However, it is not clear whether reduced strength is a risk factor for subsequent graft rupture in this patient population. Read More

Orthop J Sports Med 2022 Jun 2;10(6):23259671221098749. Epub 2022 Jun 2.

Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, New York, New York, USA.

Background: The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in the cancellation of the 2020 National Football League (NFL) preseason and a decreased preseason roster size. The effect of this disruption on athlete injury rates is unknown.

Purpose/hypothesis: The purpose was to quantify the rates of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), Achilles tendon, and hamstring tendon injuries in NFL players before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Read More

Acta Neurochir (Wien) 2022 Jun 4. Epub 2022 Jun 4.

School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.

Objective: To explore the therapeutic effect of combined selective peripheral neurotomy (cSPN) on the spasm of the lower limbs after spinal cord injury.

Methods: A prospective intervention (before-after trial) with an observational design was conducted in 14 spinal cord injury patients with severe lower limbs spasticity by cSPN. Given the severe spasm of hip adductor, triceps surae, and hamstring muscles in these patients, a total of 26 obturator nerve branches, 26 tibia nerve branches, and 4 sciatic nerve branches partial neurotomy were performed. Read More

Cureus 2022 May 2;14(5):e24674. Epub 2022 May 2.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Northwell Health Plainview Hospital, Plainview, USA.

Introduction The purpose of this study is to evaluate the rates of regular season soft tissue injuries in National Football League (NFL) players during the 2020 season, which had a canceled preseason due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This study retrospectively reviewed the injury rates of the 2020-2021 NFL regular season in comparison to the 2018-2019 NFL regular season using publicly available injury data. The focus of our analysis was comparing the following soft tissue injuries: hamstring, groin, calf, quadriceps, thigh, knee - anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), pectoral, and Achilles. Read More

Asia Pac J Sports Med Arthrosc Rehabil Technol 2022 Jul 16;29:1-8. Epub 2022 May 16.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, Japan.

Background: This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes and patient reported outcome measurement scales (PROMs) between hamstring tendon (HT) or bone-patellar tendon-bone (BTB) grafts in each primary and revision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Additionally, the clinical outcomes and PROMs between primary and revision surgeries were compared.

Methods: A total of 150 patients (109 primary and 41 revision ACL reconstructions) were enrolled and followed up for an average of 3. Read More

Knee 2022 Jun 1;37:3-9. Epub 2022 Jun 1.

Department of Sport Injuries and Corrective Exercises, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.

Background: Bilateral symmetry evaluation in lower limb is used for injury prevention, and is an indicator of returning to post-injury activity. The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of different angular velocities on asymmetry of the hamstring-to-quadriceps strength ratio.

Method: Isokinetic concentric hamstring to quadriceps (H:Q) peak torque ratio of the 27 male and female professional basketball players was measured at seven angular velocities (60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 180, 240, 300 deg s) on both dominant and non-dominant legs with Biodex Isokinetic Dynamometer. Read More

BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil 2022 Jun 1;14(1):97. Epub 2022 Jun 1.

Clinical Center for Sports Medicine and Sports Dentistry, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.

Background: Information about specific factors of physical function that contribute to psychological readiness is needed to plan rehabilitation for a return to sports. The purpose of this study was to identify specific physical functions related to the psychological readiness of patients aiming to return to sports 6 months after reconstruction. We hypothesized that the knee strength is a factor related to the Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Return to Sport after Injury scale (ACL-RSI) cutoff score for a return to sports. Read More

Br J Sports Med 2022 Jun 1. Epub 2022 Jun 1.

Institute of Interdisciplinary Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, MSH Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2022 Jun;52(6):389-400

Objective: To identify risk factors for quadriceps muscle strain injury in sport.

Design: Risk factor systematic review.

Literature Search: A systematic search was conducted in the MEDLINECINAHL, Embase, AMED, AUSPORT, SPORTDiscus, PEDro, and Cochrane Library databases (from inception to September 2021). Read More

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2022 Jun;52(6):410

This JOSPT Infographic on hamstring injuries in sport is based on clinical practice guidelines by Martin et al. titled "Hamstring Strain Injury in Athletes" ( 2022;52(3):CPG1-CPG44. (https://doi. Read More

Biomed Res Int 2022 20;2022:4133883. Epub 2022 May 20.

Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Science, Jazan University, Jazan, 45142, Saudi Arabia.

Athletes such as long-distance runners, sprinters, hockey, and/or football players may have proximal hamstring tendinopathy (PHT). Laser therapy has been shown to be effective in tendinopathies. High power laser therapy (HPLT) is used for the treatment of several musculoskeletal conditions; however, its efficacy on PHT has not been investigated. Read More

Front Surg 2022 12;9:863823. Epub 2022 May 12.

School of Biomedical Engineering and Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.

Objective: Several needleless techniques have been developed to outcome the inherent disadvantages of the traditional needle stitching technique for graft preparation, such as tendon damage through the needle, time consumption, and the potential risk of needlestick injury. The purpose of the present study is to compare the graft preparation time and the biomechanical performance between an efficient needleless technique and the traditional needle stitching technique for graft preparation in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR).

Methods: The time required to perform a complete suture on 20 hamstring tendons during ACLRs was measured. Read More

Orthop Traumatol Surg Res 2022 May 25:103336. Epub 2022 May 25.

Department of Orthopaedics, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, No.20 Xisi Road, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China. Electronic address:

Introduction: Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury hampers the rotational stability and stability front to back of the knee joint, seriously affecting the quality of life of patients. Some studies have reported that the peroneus longus tendon (PLT) has sufficient length and strength.

Hypothesis: We hypothesized that the PLT can be used as a novel appropriate material for PCL reconstruction therapy. Read More

Res Sports Med 2022 Jun 1:1-12. Epub 2022 Jun 1.

Sports Injuries Research Group, Department of Sport & Physical Activity, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, UK.

Nordic hamstring curls (NHC) are a commonly used injury intervention method in amateur team sports. Seventeen elite male academy soccer players performed an 8-week low volume NHC programme. Pre-post intervention measures of isokinetic eccentric knee flexor (KF) strength, linear speed, COD performance, hamstring muscle thickness, pennation angle and fascicle length were recorded. Read More

J Comp Eff Res 2022 Jul 1;11(10):729-736. Epub 2022 Jun 1.

IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Sports Traumatology & Minimally Invasive Articular Surgery Center, Milan, Italy.

To compare the outcomes of patients who underwent single-bundle (SB) anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction combined with lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) with the outcomes of those who underwent double-bundle (DB) ACL reconstruction. 16 patients who underwent ACL hamstring SB reconstruction combined with LET (Coker-Arnold modification of the MacIntosh procedure) were retrospectively compared with 20 patients who underwent hamstring DB reconstruction at an average follow-up of 6.2 years. Read More

Res Sports Med 2022 May 31:1-9. Epub 2022 May 31.

Sports Injuries Research Group, Department of Sport & Physical Activity, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk UK.

Isokinetic dynamometry is the clinical gold standard for strength assessment but testing protocols and outcome metrics can lack functional relevance. To quantify the influence of dynamometer configuration on eccentric hamstring strength metrics, 23 trained participants completed isokinetic eccentric knee flexor trials at 180°·s in a seated and extended hip position. The extended position elicited a greater peak torque (P = 0. Read More

Bone Joint J 2022 Jun;104-B(6):680-686

Avon Orthopaedic Centre, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, UK.

Aims: The best surgical strategy for the management of displaced bucket-handle (BH) meniscal tears in an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-deficient knee is unclear. Combining meniscal repair with ACL reconstruction (ACLR) is thought to improve meniscal healing rates; however, patients with displaced BH meniscal tears may lack extension. This leads some to advocate staged surgery to avoid postoperative stiffness and loss of range of motion (ROM) following ACLR. Read More

Sensors (Basel) 2022 May 16;22(10). Epub 2022 May 16.

Research Group in Sports Biomechanics (GIBD), Department of Physical Education and Sports, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain.

Fatigue and impact can represent an injury risk factor during running. The objective of this study was to compare the impact transmission along the locomotor system between the central and peripheral fatigued states during running. Tibial and head acceleration as well as shock attenuation in the time- and frequency-domain were analyzed during 2-min of treadmill running in the pre- and post-fatigue state in eighteen male popular runners (N = 18). Read More

Healthcare (Basel) 2022 May 18;10(5). Epub 2022 May 18.

Service de Médecine Physique et Réadaptation Locomotrice, Nantes University, University Hospital of Nantes, Hôpital St. Jacques, 85 Rue Saint Jacques, 44093 Nantes, France.

Therapeutic education aims to help patients acquire skills and knowledge, and to improve psychosocial aspects to manage chronic disease. After anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), only 35 to 60% of the patients are able to go back to their previous sport. Return to sport depends on the motivation of the patient. Read More

Healthcare (Basel) 2022 Apr 27;10(5). Epub 2022 Apr 27.

Department of Exercise and Health Science, College of Human Development and Health, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei 112303, Taiwan.

Background: Hamstring weakness has been associated with an increased risk of hamstring strain, a common sports injury that occurs when athletes perform actions such as quick sprints. The hamstring complex comprises three distinct muscles: the long and short heads of the bicep femoris, the semimembranosus, and the semitendinosus.

Methods: The researchers collected the data from different electronic databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, and the Web of Science. Read More